Tag: Leah McCourt

Sara Collins scores epic upset, submits Leah McCourt in opening round – Bellator: London Highlights

Sara Collins scores epic upset, submits Leah McCourt in opening round - Bellator: London HighlightsSara Collins established herself as the featherweight division’s top contender with a jaw-dropping first-round submission victory over Irish fan…

Sara Collins scores epic upset, submits Leah McCourt in opening round - Bellator: London Highlights

Sara Collins established herself as the featherweight division’s top contender with a jaw-dropping first-round submission victory over Irish fan favorite Leah McCourt at the Bellator Champions Series: London event on Saturday.

McCourt looked to attack the lead leg of Collins early, but McCourt failed to set up the kicks, allowing Collins to snatch the leg and send her opponent to the mat. Collins declined to go down to the mat and allowed McCourt back to her feet.

Upright once again, Collins unleashed a massive right hand that sent McCourt crashing to the canvas. Smelling blood in the water, Collins swarmed and dropped a series of hammer fists that prompted McCourt to give up her back. Seeing her opportunity to finish things, Collins cinched her arm under McCourt’s neck and forced the tap out in round one via a rear-naked choke.

Official Result: Sara Collins def. Leah McCourt via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 or Round 1.

With the win over McCourt, Collins moves to a perfect 6-0 in her mixed martial arts career and is now the No. 1 ranked contender in Bellator’s featherweight division, lining her up for a potential title tilt with women’s MMA legend Cris Cyborg.

Check out highlights from Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins:

Bellator Champions Series: Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins Results & Highlights (1 PM ET)

The fifth Bellator Champions Series event goes down on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action. After taking the newly created Bellator Champions Series to Belfast, Paris, Dublin, and San Diego thus far since acquiring its rival promotion late last year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has brought the brand back […]

Continue Reading Bellator Champions Series: Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins Results & Highlights (1 PM ET) at MMA News.

The fifth Bellator Champions Series event goes down on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

After taking the newly created Bellator Champions Series to Belfast, Paris, Dublin, and San Diego thus far since acquiring its rival promotion late last year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has brought the brand back to English soil for the first time in 2024.

And headlining inside the OVO Arena Wembley in London on September 14 is nine-fight Bellator veteran Leah McCourt. After the cancellation of a championship rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, her clash with Australia’s Sara Collins has been promoted to main event status.

Also of note is the return of England’s own Simeon Powell, who will co-headline in his first fight since falling short of PFL Europe title glory in late 2023, the debut of former UFC athlete Marc Diakiese, and the latest outing for undefeated American prospect Archie Colgan.

Ahead of today’s event, see below for the full card and broadcast information, and be sure to check back later for live results and all the highlights.

Bellator Champions Series: McCourt vs. Collins Results & Highlights

Full Card (1 PM ET, MAX):

  • Women’s Featherweight: Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins
  • Light Heavyweight: Simeon Powell vs. Rafael Xavier
  • Light Heavyweight: Luke Trainer vs. Laurynas Urbonavicius
  • Lightweight: Tim Wilde vs. Marc Diakiese
  • Lightweight: Archie Colgan vs. Manoel Sousa
  • Middleweight: Mike Shipman vs. Eslam Abdel Baset
  • Catchweight (170lbs): Joseph Luciano vs. Steven Hill
  • Catchweight (140lbs): Ciaran Clarke vs. Tuomas Gronvall
  • Lightweight: Darragh Kelly vs. Dmytrii Hrytsenko

Continue Reading Bellator Champions Series: Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins Results & Highlights (1 PM ET) at MMA News.

Bellator Champions Series Results & Highlights: Sara Collins Submits Leah McCourt

The fifth Bellator Champions Series event went down on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action. After taking the newly created Bellator Champions Series to Belfast, Paris, Dublin, and San Diego thus far since acquiring its rival promotion late last year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) brought the brand back to […]

Continue Reading Bellator Champions Series Results & Highlights: Sara Collins Submits Leah McCourt at MMA News.

The fifth Bellator Champions Series event went down on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action.

After taking the newly created Bellator Champions Series to Belfast, Paris, Dublin, and San Diego thus far since acquiring its rival promotion late last year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) brought the brand back to English soil for the first time in 2024.

And headlining inside the OVO Arena Wembley in London on September 14 was nine-fight Bellator veteran Leah McCourt. After the cancellation of a championship rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, her clash with Australia’s Sara Collins was promoted to main event status.

The Melbourne native remained undefeated, submitting McCourt inside the opening round to secure top contender status for Cris Cyborg’s Bellator women’s featherweight title.

Also of note was the return of England’s own Simeon Powell, who overcame two knockdowns in the opening round to fall on the right side of a split decision against Rafael Xavier in the co-headliner. Beforehand, former UFC athlete Marc Diakiese made a successful debut and unbeaten American prospect Archie Colgan continued his winning ways.

With that said, see below for the full results, followed by all the highlights.

Bellator Champions Series: McCourt vs. Collins Results & Highlights

Full Card:

  • Women’s Featherweight: Sara Collins def. Leah McCourt via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 2:25
  • Light Heavyweight: Simeon Powell def. Rafael Xavier via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Light Heavyweight: Luke Trainer def. Laurynas Urbonavicius via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 4:15
  • Lightweight: Marc Diakiese def. Tim Wilde via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Lightweight: Archie Colgan def. Manoel Sousa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Middleweight: Mike Shipman def. Eslam Abdul Baset via TKO (knee and punches): R2, 2:32
  • Catchweight (170lbs): Joseph Luciano def. Steven Hill via submission (anaconda choke): R2, 1:22
  • Catchweight (140lbs): Ciaran Clarke def. Tuomas Grönvall via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Lightweight: Darragh Kelly def. Dmytrii Hrytsenko via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Darragh Kelly Def. Dmytrii Hrytsenko

Ciaran Clarke Def. Tuomas Grönvall

Joseph Luciano Def. Steven Hill

Mike Shipman Def. Eslam Abdul Baset

Archie Colgan Def. Manoel Sousa

Marc Diakiese Def. Tim Wilde

Luke Trainer Def. Laurynas Urbonavicius

Simeon Powell Def. Rafael Xavier

Sara Collins Def. Leah McCourt

Continue Reading Bellator Champions Series Results & Highlights: Sara Collins Submits Leah McCourt at MMA News.

UFC Star Conor McGregor Makes Massive Donation to Fighter who suffered ‘Life-Altering Injuries’ while training

Conor McGregor donates money to Ryan CurtisConor McGregor made a hefty donation to Ryan Curtis, an Irish MMA fighter who suffered “life-altering injuries” during a…

Conor McGregor donates money to Ryan Curtis

Conor McGregor made a hefty donation to Ryan Curtis, an Irish MMA fighter who suffered “life-altering injuries” during a training session.

On Saturday, Bellator standout Leah McCourt revealed that her friend and the Dublin native had suffered multiple devastating injuries. Taking to social media, she asked her followers to support a GoFundMe page to help her teammate and his family during this trying time.

“As an athlete and human the unimaginable has happened to our beloved Ryan,” McCourt’s statement read. “He was involved in a life altering incident during a training session on Thursday 11th January. Ryan has suffered a broken back, broken neck and dislocated spine. During this injury, trauma was also caused to Ryan’s spinal cord.

“The damage is classified as the most severe that can happen to a spinal cord. He was rushed to the Royal in Belfast and underwent emergency surgery.

“Currently Ryan has no movement in his legs or his left arm. The road ahead is unknown and will involve at least 5 months of him in hospital, followed by a further period of time with a specialist spinal team. There is no exact end date to when this treatment will be complete.“

“Understandably he is distressed at present, we have limited access to see him. He is in ICU and hopefully being moved to spinal ward when conditions improve. He is still showing his positive outlook, his determination and mindset to overcome yet another challenge that life has presented.

“Ryan will never be able to do what he loves, and fight or train in MMA again. A sport he has dedicated his life to from the age of 11.

“Ryan will be out of work for the foreseeable future and we are trying to take any additional load or stress off Ryan’s family and daughter by creating a page to raise some funds to help towards rehabilitation, vital treatment, recovery and supporting his family.”

Conor McGregor and Many others show their support

Thus far, the GoFundMe campaign has generated almost £80,000 with Irish boxer Mick Conlan, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, and renowned MMA coach Paul Rimmer all donating to the cause. But the biggest boost came from UFC megastar Conor McGregor who donated a whopping £25,000. The former two-division titleholder also sent a heartfelt message to Curtis and his family.

“Very sad news on Curta,” the UFC superstar wrote on his Instagram story. The game isn’t worth the risk. Truth we don’t want to speak on. Thank God for your little family Curta, keep them tight and God bless brother, get better will you!”

Screenshot 2024 01 14 121031

McGregor also shared a video message on X, showing support for Curtis and his young family.

“Sending my support and well wishes to Dublin MMA fighter Ryan Curtis after suffering life changing injury in practice. Here is a link to his go fund me , he has a young daughter and the family needs our support.”

If you’d like to donate to the cause, you can visit the GoFundMe page right here.

Bellator MMA’s Leah McCourt Features As A “Warrior” In British Reality Series

Bellator MMA women’s featherweight contender Leah McCourt is currently appearing in a new challenge-oriented British reality series. McCourt, who occupies the #4 spot at 145 pounds and #8 in Bellator’s female pound-for-pound rankings, serve…

Bellator MMA women’s featherweight contender Leah McCourt is currently appearing in a new challenge-oriented British reality series. McCourt, who occupies the #4 spot at 145 pounds and #8 in Bellator’s female pound-for-pound rankings, serves as one of eight ‘Warriors’ on Go Hard or Go Home, a show that sees eight ordinary and troubled individuals pushed…

Continue Reading Bellator MMA’s Leah McCourt Features As A “Warrior” In British Reality Series at MMA News.

Leah McCourt Shares Creeps Messages: “I’ll Buy Dirty Socks”

Leah McCourt, the Bellator Irish featherweight contender, has shared some of her weirder “fan” messages, including a request to buy dirty clothing articles. The 7-2 grappling ace has attracted many admirers, both inside and outside the cage…

Leah McCourt, the Bellator Irish featherweight contender, has shared some of her weirder “fan” messages, including a request to buy dirty clothing articles. The 7-2 grappling ace has attracted many admirers, both inside and outside the cage. This has led to Leah McCourt having her attention sought by a wide array of internet folks. While…

Continue Reading Leah McCourt Shares Creeps Messages: “I’ll Buy Dirty Socks” at MMA News.